BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A longtime state senator, a retired Fargo school administrator and a data processing executive are finalists for the North Dakota Board of Higher Education.

A screening committee on Monday chose David Nething, Rick Buresh and Kari Reichert (RY’-kurt) for the opening.   Incumbent board member Richie Smith of Wahpeton recently resigned. Gov. Jack Dalrymple has to choose someone to fill out the 11 months left on Smith’s term.

 Nething is a Republican state senator from Jamestown. He is a former Senate majority leader and chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Nething is leaving the Senate this year.

 Buresh retired last month as Fargo school superintendent. He spent five years in the job.

 Reichert is a lawyer and a vice president of a cooperative data processing company in Mandan

CSi Photo: Matt Sheppard